ASUS has just launched the newest member of the VivoBook S15 and S14 range, which are their most affordable laptops. These laptops may cost less than others but that doesn’t mean shoppers are getting less features. In fact, the VivoBooks feature Splendid Technology to deliver true-to-life visuals, a lithium-prismatic battery that lasts all day and high performing NVIDIA GeForce MX 150 graphics for editors, developers and gamers alike. The ASUS VivoBooks have the style, customisation and performance to fit seamlessly into your lifestyle. This review gives a quick run down on some of the VivoBook S15 and S14’s features in plain English. To get an up close and personal experience and talk more specs, visit your nearest ASUS retailer.
The VivoBooks are described as ‘lifestyle NoteBooks’. They are designed to be thin, light and powerful so they can fit in your bag and your lifestyle. Both models are only 18mm thick so they can easily fit in with your gym gear, lunch box, makeup, whatever, Pikachu plushy…whatever. They’re also lightweight. The VivoBook S15 weighs 1.8kg and the S14 weighs 1.4kg. There are tablets that are heavier than that. Probably.
Both the VivoBook S15 and S15 can accommodate up to the 8th generation Intel Core i7-8550U processor. This means that at its most powerful, the VivoBook can handle video games, video editing and downloads without overheating or slowing down. Plus, its 10 hour battery life means that you can work all day. Gone are the days of having to relocate to within a cable length’s distance of a power-point mid-task. Future generations will never know the anxiety of seeing ‘your battery is running low’ while they’re trying to look professional during a presentation. The VivoBook S15/ S14 are a powerful and reliable tool to have in your arsenal but what if they are not enough? What if you need to plug in an accessory?
The VivoBooks have seven different ports distributed across the device. This means that you can easily use any combination of headphones, USBs and SD cards without getting into a tangled mess. The specific ports are:
- 1 x USB3.1 Gen 1 Type C
- 1 x USB3.1 Type A
- 2 x USB 2.0 Type A
- 1 x 3.5mm audio combo jack
- 1 x HDMI1.4
- 1 x MicroSD Card Reader
The VivoBooks also optimise the viewing experience with ASUS Splendid Display Technology. This technology is so clever that it recognises when an image has jarring colour temperature extremes. The ViviBook’s Colour Temperatue Correction automatically adjusts these extremes to show more realistic colour gradients. This is done via the Colour Gamut Management system which uses new panel technology and system software. ASUS Splendid Technology produces more aesthetic visuals but it’s more than a pretty face. It also has clever features which will save your pretty face (in particular your eyes) from damage.
In addition to automatic Colour Temperature Correction, users can also enable different user-friendly modes. One of these is Eye Care Mode which reduces blue light emission by 30% in order to reduce viewing fatigue. According to Dr Rosenfield from the State University of New York College of Optometry, visible blue light can reach the retina and may cause eye strain. Over a prolonged period of time, this type of eye strain may contribute to age-related macular degeneration. So, using the ASUS VivoBook with Eye Care Mode enabled is easy to use in the short run and can be good for your health in the long run.
Additionally, blue light can disrupt your body’s melatonin production. Melatonin is a hormone that our bodies produce in darkness and which makes us feel sleepy. Prolonged exposure to blue light disrupts our melatonin production and can lead to trouble sleeping. So on top of protecting our eyes, Eye Care Mode may also lead to more restful sleep. Thanks, ASUS.
The ASUS VivoBook S15/S14 have so many more amazing features such as full HD screen display and fingerprint biosecurity. Unfortunately, this is only a brief overview article so it can’t cover all of them. Instead, I will pick one more feature to highlight and highly recommend that you experience the ASUS VivoBook S15/S14 in person and your nearest ASUS stockist.
Finally, the VivoBook’s audio experience is carefully curated by an audio engineering team called The Golden Ear. The Golden Ear carefully analyse and tweak every aspect of ASUS SonicMaster hardware, software and tuning to produce the best possible auditory experience. So, plug in your headphones to one of the seven available ports, tilt your screen back 135° courtesy of the ErgoHinge and enjoy your screen time, complete with splendid graphics.
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